Disaster authorities in Western Visayas are on full alert as Severe Tropical Storm Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) threatens to unleash devastation reminiscent of Super typhoons Yolanda in 2013 and Odette in 2021.
In a virtual emergency meeting of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-6) on Sunday, council chair and Office of Civil Defense (OCD-6) Regional Director Raul E. Fernandez said full-scale preparations were underway as forecasts indicated that Tino could reach super typhoon strength and cross directly over Panay Island by Tuesday, November 4.
‘The potential impact mirrors the intensity and path of Yolanda and Odette. We urge all local DRRMCs to prepare for worst-case scenarios, ensure timely evacuation, and coordinate closely with national agencies,’ Fernandez said.
Supertyphoon Yolanda struck on November 8, 2013, claiming over 6,000 lives and affecting approximately 16 million people across the Visayas. Odette, which hit on December 16, 2021, caused over P47 billion in damage, destroyed a million homes, and killed more than 400 people.
According to data from the Predictive Analytics for Humanitarian Response (PAHR) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Western Visayas (DSWD-6), around 466,044 families-or 2.33 million people-could be affected. Western Visayas, the most populous region in the Visayas, has a population of 7.9 million based on the 2020 census.
To bolster response capacity, DSWD-6 has pre-positioned 99,955 family food packs (FFPs) in Oton, Iloilo, and in 55 local government units across the region. Another 10,000 FFPs were en route from the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Cebu, alongside 3,118 ready-to-eat food packs and 10,047 non-food items ready for immediate deployment.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has also mapped 3,227 barangays in 101 towns and cities as highly susceptible to floods and rain-induced landslides-raising the possibility of widespread evacuations once the rains intensify.
Forecast
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned that Tino could bring heavy to torrential rains, violent winds, and storm surges, potentially prompting the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 across Western Visayas. Gale warnings are also expected for coastal waters.
Fernandez stressed that early coordination and pre-emptive evacuation are critical, particularly for coastal and low-lying communities.
‘Early action saves lives. We cannot afford complacency,’ he said.
The RDRRMC has outlined two possible scenarios: Tino makes landfall as a strong typhoon directly traversing Panay Island; or Tino intensifies into a super typhoon, cutting across either the northern or southern corridors of the island.
As of Sunday, all regional disaster response clusters have been placed on full activation, with local governments ordered to prepare evacuation centers, secure logistics, and issue early warnings. With the painful memories of Yolanda in 2013 and Odette in 2021 still fresh, Western Visayas braces once more-this time determined that readiness and swift response will keep tragedy from striking twice.